The human brain is an organ responsible for the functioning of the entire body. Also, one of its functions is to store our memories. Information is recorded in neural connections in the cortex and subcortical structures and stored for as long as the cells live.
At certain moments in life, under the influence of illness or external circumstances, this cognitive function begins to weaken. Then people wonder what to drink to improve memory for an adult. Today, pharmacies offer many drugs to solve this problem, but they affect the brain in different ways. This means that they should be applied according to the cause of the problem.
We propose to consider which tablets help to improve memory and activate brain activity and which are more suitable for nourishing and activating the abilities of the brain.
Causes of memory impairment
There are people who face the problem of the weakening of memory functions already in childhood.
Such children need consultation with a neurologist to determine the cause of the mnestic disorder.
Children are then prescribed drugs to increase mental activity, mental clarity, memory and brain development.
These drugs are not universal, but help only in the period of maturation of the body. As we age, other circumstances begin to affect our already formed brains. They cause memory problems throughout many years of adult life.
The need to take special medications can be caused by:
- exhaustion of the body due to chronic stress, fatigue, prolonged depression or other mental illnesses;
- disorders of blood circulation in the brain tissue, which are provoked by nervous and somatic diseases, injuries;
- deficiency of vitamins and nutrients, especially affected by the lack of trace elements in childhood;
- infections of the cortex and membranes of the brain, both viral and bacterial;
- mental illnesses, their initial manifestations before the formation of psychosis;
- alcohol or drug addiction, which have a destructive effect on neurons;
- traumatic brain injury or head surgery;
- formation of tumors, benign or malignant, and other neoplasms (parasitic cysts);
- degenerative processes caused by aging or the development of pathological processes in neurons, for example, Alzheimer's disease.
How to restore brain function, what to take, what pills to take for memory and attention improvement for adults, must be decided by a doctor in each specific case.
The effectiveness of drugs depends not only on their quality, but also on the specific problem the patient is facing. And how correctly the drugs are chosen.
Medicines that reduce memory
A separate phenomenon that negatively affects a person's health and brain function is medication. Medicines that negatively affect the functioning of other organs are often used to treat various diseases.
In such cases, doctors, to compensate for the negative effects, additionally prescribe injections or pills to improve memory and brain function.
Medicines that pose a risk to brain activity:
- tablets for the treatment of angina and hypertension;
- anticonvulsants;
- antihistamines of early generations;
- medicines for the treatment of insomnia, sedatives;
- some categories of antibiotics.
It is precisely because of the possible side effects that doctors strongly oppose the self-prescription of any medicine. Without knowing all the characteristics of the substance, a person risks not only not being cured, but also harming himself.
When prescribing something from the above list, the doctor will often additionally suggest nootropic drugs to improve nutrition and brain function, concentration, memory and attention in adults, available over the counter and with a well-known name.
Groups of required funds
Metabolic drugs in neurology are often called universal brain boosters. However, they are not the only ones that contribute to improving memory and other cognitive functions.
The following can help the head organ cope with stress and improve the ability to think and remember:
- Nootropics that improve brain nutrition activate metabolic processes in neurons. Neurometabolic stimulants allow the brain to better remember information while protecting it from external negative influences.
- Psychostimulants-adaptogens. It is used for overload and regular stress. Gently improves brain function by increasing energy production. The basis of the composition is usually natural.
- Correctors of energy metabolism. Products based on natural ingredients. One of the characteristics is a gradual cumulative effect. They slowly but gently enhance the effect, improve memory and other cognitive functions.
We remind you that homeopathy and nutritional supplements are not means to improve cerebral circulation and memory and brain function due to the unreliable content of the active substance in them.
Supplements can be used at your discretion after consulting your doctor. But the replacement of full-fledged treatment with such supplements is fraught with the development of more serious manifestations of diseases.
The principle of action of drugs for the brain
When choosing neurostimulants, the doctor chooses the best nootropic drug to improve brain function and restore memory, which will serve as an effective stimulant in a specific situation.
Due to the peculiarities of the composition, in each case the rule of individual selection takes into account the characteristics of the patient. The cause of the disorder and general health are taken into account.
The improvement of human cognitive functions is due to the following pharmacological effects:
- Normalization of protein synthesis. Brain cells are composed of lipoproteins, fatty compounds and proteins. Disorders of protein metabolism are a risk factor for memory and cognitive disorders.
- Activation of the synthesis and use (absorption) of glucose by neurons. This carbohydrate is the main fuel for the brain; cells absorb it directly without insulin.
- Improving the metabolism of nucleic acids, contributing to the stabilization and development of neuronal activity. It also helps to restore brain cells.
- Stimulating the cholinergic system, thereby reducing the risk of memory problems occurring and progressing.
- Active influence on the monoaminergic system. The production of hormones, dopamine, necessary for the active thought process, increases.
In some cases, oral medications are not prescribed, but injections for cerebral circulation and memory improvement. In fact, it is also an active substance that is simply injected directly into the blood to get faster results.
Injectable forms are used to quickly saturate the body with the necessary substance. In addition, not all useful drugs are available in the form of tablets, since their components are destroyed in the digestive tract
Indications
Nootropic drugs are prescribed if problems with nutrition and metabolism of brain tissue are detected.
Typical reasons:
- depression, chronic stress;
- formed neuroses;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- consequences of neuroinfections, asthenic conditions;
- encephalopathy, dementia;
- depletion of cognitive functions due to intellectual overload;
- regular oxygen starvation of brain tissue, for example with atherosclerosis;
- intoxication of the body affecting the nervous system and brain.
When choosing which tablets you can take to improve concentration, calm the nerves and improve memory and mental activity, intelligence, adults, you should focus not only on prices, but also on good reviews from specialists specifying in which specific case the drugit has helped.
Contraindications
Nootropics should not be considered a completely safe and useful memory aid. These drugs have both contraindications and side effects:
- allergic reactions to both the active substance and auxiliary components;
- increased neuronal excitability and risk of seizure activity;
- high blood pressure, hypertension;
- sleep disorders - insomnia may worsen;
- nausea, digestive disorders;
- increased psycho-emotional and motor anxiety.
As you can see, drugs can be harmful to patients with hypertension, people with labile psyche and insomnia. So, due to the wide list of contraindications and side effects, the presence of which you may not even suspect, you should not risk your health and choose treatment yourself.
The doctor will tell you what cheap pills adults can take for brain function, clarity of mind, recovery of memory and brain activity, improvement of attention and intellectual activity, indicating the exact name and talking about the main active ingredients.
Over the counter nootropics
Some drugs to improve memory and attention, stimulate brain activity, improve the functioning of the brain and nervous system in adults are sold without a prescription, the names of individual drugs are given in our material.
Pills you can buy and use to improve memory and maintain intelligence during stressful times in life:
- Piracetam, the first nootropic. A popular substance. It serves as a universal medicine that is used for more than 50 diseases. Both as a main component and as a supporting agent. One of the characteristics is that it increases the convulsive readiness of neurons.
- Ginkgo biloba improves cognitive function, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and improves the supply of oxygen to the brain. Created on the basis of an extract from the plant of the same name.
- Glycine, an amino acid. A common drug that supports and improves memory during periods of overload. Based on an amino acid used to build proteins for cells and protect neurons from overexcitation
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter derivative. Improves brain nutrition, blood circulation and oxygen saturation. It is used to prevent senile dementia or in case of vascular pathologies of the brain.
- Vinpocetine helps stabilize cerebral circulation. The point of impact is the normalization of brain nutrition by expanding blood vessels and improving glucose metabolism. It also helps reduce the risk of thrombophlebitis. Patients with arrhythmia are advised to take with caution.
It is worth remembering that nootropics are not a panacea that can be taken for life. Like other drugs, they are prescribed in courses. Uncontrolled use can lead to the development of side effects.
Rating of the best drugs
Today in the pharmacy you can find dozens of drugs to improve memory. But not all of them are time-tested and not all of them have proven their effectiveness.
TOP drugs for improving memory, nutrition and restoring the nervous system and brain function, further improving cognitive functions:
- Piracetam medicine. A universal nootropic drug that has a positive effect on memory, attention and brain function at any age. It is used in the therapy of both children and adults and the elderly. It accelerates the transmission of impulses in the brain, helps to better record information in the memory.
- A derivative of succinic acid. It stimulates metabolic processes in the nervous system, improves psycho-emotional endurance, accelerates the removal of toxic substances from the body. Thanks to the latter ability, it is often used in the treatment of addictions.
- Hopanthenic acid, known for its psychostimulant effect, is included in many drugs. Popular among people who are actively engaged in intellectual work. It is considered one of the best means to relieve chronic fatigue and activate memory and attention. It strengthens a person's intellectual abilities. The course is only 1 month, the result is felt after taking the first tablets.
- Complex of plant origin. Gently affects mental abilities, improves memory and attention, reduces irritability and stress. It is popular due to the low risk of side effects, which allows even drivers to take it.
An additional list of neurotrophic drugs that is suitable for you, taking into account the characteristics of your body, will be selected by your doctor after the examination.
The drug component, for better results, should be supplemented with training and physical therapy, TMS.